British sports stars could be forced to wear EU flags on kits

Brussels bureaucrats will make a desperate bid to shore up their plans for a European superstate on Thursday by forcing British sports players to wear the EU flag on their strips.

The shock plans will demand that all of the country's national heroes in sports such as football, rugby and cricket, display the blue and yellow flag - or face hefty fines of thousands of pounds.

EU symbols will also have to be displayed prominently at major tournaments including the FA Cup final, the Ashes series, Wimbledon, Rugby tournaments and the Grand Prix.

Brussels diktat: National sport stars including David Beckham, pictured, and Wayne Rooney could be forced to wear the EU flag on their national kits

MEPs at the European Parliament are predicted to support the controversial idea today, which will push it closer to becoming a reality.

But the plans received condemnation from politicians and sports stars across the board as growing numbers of people call for Britain to leave the European Union.

Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall said the idea was a 'complete and utter joke' and vowed to do everything possible 'to scupper this ridiculous idea for the sake of sports fans and our national identity'.

'This gives you a real insight into the minds of the EU and how they want to interfere in every area of our lives,' he told the Daily Express.

'Can you imagine Steven Gerrard playing for England with three lions on one side of his shirt and the EU logo on the other?'

Former England football manager Graham Taylor added: 'When competing European nations play against each other it seems pointless to have the European flag on both teams shirts.

Member states: The Union Jack flies among other country's flags outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium

'It seems a bit daft. I just don’t see why anyone would want to bring it in. It’s a non-starter for me.'

Plans for the sports strip rules surfaced in a draft motion to be discussed for today’s meeting of the European Parliament’s culture and education committee.

It appears under the heading European Identity Through Sport and vows 'that the European flag should be flown at major sports events held on EU territory and suggests that it should be displayed on the clothing of athletes from member states'.

The bill must be agreed upon by MEPs in the committee. They are expected to approve the plans which would take the idea to the formal proposals stage.

Although British MEPs are expected to oppose the move, it is feared that the all encompassing Lisbon Treaty which was signed by Tony Blair could force the motion through.

Outcry: Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall said the plans were a 'joke'

The move will spark further anger towards European Leaders as Britain is forced to prop-up a string of failed economies in the struggling Euro debt zone.

Earlier this week it emerged that an overwhelming majority of voters want Britain to withdraw from the European Union – with support draining away thanks to the economic chaos surrounding the single currency.

A poll showed that the public would vote by 50 to 33 per cent to abandon Brussels if a referendum were held tomorrow, a huge lead of 17 points.

The poll shows the euro crisis has turned conventional political wisdom on its head and will fuel demands for David Cameron to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with Brussels.

Added demands for a sweeping change of sports strips to suit the European agenda will add to the calls for Britain to lead the crumbling EU experiment.

Tory MP Peter Bone said the plans were the sort of 'nonsense that makes British people throw up at the thought of the EU'.

He said that the idea that Olympic athletes could be wearing the EU symbol next year was 'unbelievable'.

Mr Bone said that those who work in Brussels view Europe as one enormous country.

He added that the people of England would be 'absolutely incensed' at the thought of seeing their sporting heroes wearing the European flag.

The University of Northampton was recently fined £56,000 for not displaying the EU symbol. Sports teams could be hit with similar fines if the plans are approved.